Our hospital conducted a hyperbaric oxygen emergency drill to prevent potential risks.
Faced with a sudden emergency, on-duty personnel responded calmly in accordance with the emergency response plan, while staff from all departments swiftly assembled to provide support. On the afternoon of July 9, Nanjing Zijin Hospital conducted an hyperbaric oxygen therapy emergency drill at its Jiangning campus, during which more than 40 personnel from various roles put their emergency response capabilities to the test.
Exercise Mobilization
This drill assumes the following scenario: Multi‑person oxygen chamber No. 6 is currently in use for treatment when a fire suddenly breaks out on one side near the center of the chamber. Patients and their family members become extremely panicked, urgently calling out and pounding on the chamber walls, with cries for help and screams echoing throughout. The primary and secondary shift staff immediately split up and act with utmost urgency to contain the fire; the chamber’s sprinkler system activates at once, while family members, under staff guidance, carry out self‑rescue measures and use the onboard fire extinguishers to put out the blaze. The oxygen chamber duty supervisor and the hospital’s on‑call administrator, upon receiving telephone notification, promptly organize physicians, nurses, and personnel from other departments to bring emergency equipment and arrive to provide support. Hospital leadership swiftly arrives on scene to direct patient rescue efforts and make necessary arrangements. Following depressurization of the chamber and opening of its doors, medical staff conduct one‑on‑one transfers, moving patients as quickly as possible to the ward for further examination and treatment.
Transfer the “patient” and provide medical care to any “patient” exhibiting abnormalities.
To provide healthcare personnel with additional hands-on experience during this drill, the scenario also included a “patient” who, upon exiting the isolation chamber, experienced respiratory and cardiac arrest. The emergency responders promptly arrived on scene and coordinated seamlessly to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Thanks to their concerted efforts, the “patient” was quickly stabilized and pulled out of danger.
The hospital leadership provided a summary and made comments.
Following the drill, Gao Zhiqiang, Executive Vice President of Nanjing Zijin Hospital, delivered a summary and evaluation. He commended the effectiveness of the exercise, identified areas for improvement in the details, and emphasized that safety must remain the top priority in hyperbaric oxygen therapy. He also stressed the need to further strengthen interdepartmental coordination, maintain a high level of vigilance, continuously enhance emergency response capabilities, and ensure patient safety in every possible way.
